May's negotiation on Ireland unleashes a political gale in the United Kingdom

The British prime minister is forced to break the commitment reached in Brussels after the resistance of its partners the Unionists of the DUP

05 Aralık 2017 Salı 12:00 - 14 reads.

"We have been very clear: Norrn Ireland must leave EU on same terms as rest of United Kingdom and we will not accept any form of regulatory divergence that separates Norrn Ireland from rest of United Kingdom economically or politically," said Arlene Foster, leader of DUP, as soon as terms of agreement that London and Dublin had reached have been filtered.

In Brussels, prime minister left Juncker's table to call Foster, 20 minutes after she left her concern at press conference. He had to convince union leader that "continued regulatory alignment" is much better than "no regulatory divergence," which was original Dublin proposal. The second expression, according to London, would be tantamount to accepting validity of rules of single market and customs union. The first one offers more flexibility.

After speaking to Foster, May returned to table with Juncker and agreement, which seemed closed, vanished. "It has not been possible to reach a full agreement today," he would n declare prime minister. "We have understanding in most matters." "Only two or three remain open to debate."

The resistance of DUP is a sign of effects that agreement with Dublin can have for British policy. Ireland, as guarantor of Good Friday Agreement, requires London guarantees that re will be no significant regulatory divergences on island after Brexit. And it has backing of Brussels to prevent negotiations from advancing if it does not obtain those guarantees.

That leaves London two options, as Irish Foreign Minister, Simon Coveney, explained in an interview with country: "or United Kingdom remains in an extended version of customs union and single market, or seeks unique solutions for circumstances "Norrn Ireland's only."

If you choose to guarantee a special treatment to Norrn Ireland, it will cost you a lot to get back DUP, as has been demonstrated this Monday. It has also become clear that ors would claim same treatment for mselves. He has been warned by Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Chief minister. Sadiq Khan, Labour Mayor of London, has done same. And Carwyn Jones, chief Welsh minister, has also climbed wagon.

"Huge ramifications for London if Theresa May grants that it is possible for a part of United Kingdom to remain in single market and customs union after Brexit. "Londoners voted overwhelmingly for staying in EU and a similar agreement here could protect tens of thousands of jobs," mayor wrote on Twitter. Sturgeon has influenced idea: "If it is not a status like Norway's for whole of United Kingdom, it must be some kind of special agreement for Norrn Ireland." "In that second case, why not also for Scotland, London or Wales?"

From Downing Street They have hastened to say that May will not agree anything involving barriers between Norrn Ireland and rest of country. "The United Kingdom leaves EU as a whole." The territorial and economic integrity of United Kingdom will be protected, "clarified May's spokesman.

Dismissed special treatment, re is only one way to ensure that Norrn Ireland maintains a "continued regulatory alignment" with EU: that country as a whole will keep it. Something that would be extraordinarily difficult to defend for May in his party and in his own government. It would imply a rupture only half, and that would not satisfy hard sector of Brexit. A sector that is reluctant to give in to its pressure prime minister, as evidenced by fact that several of its members paraded by media this weekend, on eve of meeting with Juncker, establishing its own red lines for negotiation.

It was explained by BBC journalist Laura Kuenssberg, in a very graphic way for Brexitología experts, who will sound Chinese to neophytes: "May may agree that Norrn Ireland is Norway (high-alignment model) before Government has decided wher Rest of country is going to be Norway or Canada (under Alignment).

Norway is a member of European Economic Area and, as such, maintains full access to single market, but accepts four freedoms, including free movement of persons. Canada, on or hand, is example of a third country with which EU signs a trade agreement. Between one or anor models will be relationship of United Kingdom with block. Define what kind of relationship you want – and that's hard part of truth – will be next task of May. But first you must explain at home how you will ensure that re will be no border on island, without offering special treatment to Norrn Ireland or compromising Brexit model for whole country.

The Irish prime Minister, "surprised and disappointed"

The fact that United Kingdom withdrew after reaching an agreement with Brussels has left Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, in his own words, "surprised and disappointed."

"The Irish negotiating team received confirmation from British government and team of [ European negotiating chief, Michel] Barnier that United Kingdom had accepted a text on border that satisfied our concerns," said Varadkar in a Press conference in Dublin afternoon. "I am surprised and disappointed that British government is not in a position to seal what was previously agreed on same day."

"I accept that prime Minister has asked for more time, I know she faces many challenges and I recognize that she negotiates in good faith," said Varadkar, but added that " responsibility of any prime Minister is to ensure that he can maintain agreements that have" Reached ".

The Irish prime Minister has refused to endorse all responsibility for failure of agreement to norirlandeses unionists of DUP. "I don't think it would help that I attribute guilt." "It is clear that things were broken during lunch in Brussels," he has simply pointed out.

"My position and that of Irish Government is unequivocal and is supported by all parties in Parliament and I think by most people on this island," he concluded. "Ireland wants to proceed to phase two of negotiations, it is favorable to our interests to happen." "But we cannot agree to do this unless we have firm assurances that re will be no border in Ireland under any circumstances."